The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

July 26, 2025

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Minerva is a graduate student at a New England university, dependent on scholarships and on-campus jobs to afford staying there. She is originally from Mexico, and there is a history of witchcraft passing down through her family from her great-grandmother Alba. Minerva loves horror fiction and become fascinated by an obscure horror writer who attended the same university. While researching the writer's life and work, Minerva becomes aware of strange forces haunting the campus and the town.

Not your typical story of witches and warlocks. Three main characters: Alba, Beatrice, and Minerva, each with her own timeline, which can be a little confusing. Overall creepy, dark, and atmospheric. I am not a huge horror fan (although I read more horror than I think I do), but I really enjoy Moreno-Garcia's modern gothic fiction. I could not put this one down. Will appeal to readers who enjoy horror mixed with folklore and multigenerational stories. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The King's Witch by Tracy Borman

September 1, 2021

The King's Witch by Tracy Borman

Frances Gorges is a young noblewoman skilled as an herbalist. She is summoned to the bedside of the dying Queen Elizabeth I to help ease her suffering. But upon Elizabeth's death, King James I becomes king. James has a mortal fear of witchcraft and suspects witchcraft whenever he comes up against anything he doesn't understand. As a healer who uses natural medicines versus the traditional medicine practiced by the court physicians, Frances becomes an easy target for Lord Cecil, the holder of the Privy Seal. James is an unpopular king, and plots and traitors abound. Frances becomes involved in an illicit affair with one of the traitors and must watch every step.

This is the first book in a trilogy about Lady Frances Gorges, an obscure historical figure (as many women are in history). The author is a historian, so the story is well-researched. No witches actually appear in the story, only the suspicion of witchcraft.